In the 13-year period of 2005 through 2017, canines killed 433 Americans. Pit bulls contributed to 66% (284) of these deaths. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers contributed to 76% of the total recorded deaths. | More »

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2009 Dog Bite Fatality: 2-Year Old Killed by Family Dog in Cape Coral

Liam Peck, 2-years old, was fatally bitten by a family dog.

Family Dog Kills Boyarchived Cape Coral, FL - A toddler died Tuesday morning after being bitten by one of the family's dogs. According to officials, the family's 8-year old male Weimaraner fatally bit Liam Peck, 2-years old, in the neck. Connie Barron, spokeswoman for the Cape Coral Police Department, said EMS transported the boy to Cape Coral Hospital, where he was pronounced dead less than an hour later. Lee County Animal Services seized the dog from the home, along with a female Weimaraner.

Incredibly, yet commonly, this article spends more time talking about what might happen to the seized dogs, one of which killed Liam Peck, rather than focusing on the innocent dead victim. The article also inappropriately includes a quote by Dr. Robert South, an epidemiologist with the Lee County Department of Health. "It really comes down to the ability of the owner to have a well-trained dog and to teach children to be appropriately cautious around animals," he said.

How many 2-year old children understand "appropriately cautious?"1

Weimaraner Safety Record

According to the Merritt Clifton report, "Dog Attack Deaths and Maimings, U.S. & Canada, September 1982 to December 22, 2009," and including this most recent fatality, Weimaraners have been involved in one fatal dog attack in the last 27 years. Of the two attacks involving Weimaraners in this period -- attacks serious enough to make the Clifton report -- both involved children. During this same period, pit bulls (excluding pit bull-mixes) accounted for 153 deaths and 777 maimings.

7 thoughts on “2009 Dog Bite Fatality: 2-Year Old Killed by Family Dog in Cape Coral”

When did a dogs life or wellbeing become more valuable than a child's life or wellbeing?How can people focus on a dog and barely mention the fact that an innocent child is dead?Honestly, it's unreal. Kill the dog. Then ignore it, focus on the child and the grieving parents. It's not their fault, it was the dog's fault, it should pay for its crime of murder.

Hardly anything at all in the article about the beautiful boy who just celebrated his birthday this month, just info on the dogs. Most of the comments are horrible, too, accusing the parents of everything from neglect to child abuse and using the dog as a cover up. People really should THINK before they write. That includes journalists. My heart and thoughts go out to the family during this difficult time.